On August 25, the MainStreets Annapolis Partnership (MAP) Board of Directors approved major changes to the program to provide broader services to the Annapolis business community. The expanded program is adopting a new name – Annapolis Partnership, to reflect its outreach to all local businesses within the city’s boundaries.

Steve Samaras, President of the MAP board said, “this is a great first step to help all of our local businesses. The new program is open to everyone. We have so many unique businesses that we wanted to invite others to join. We have expanded the board to include representatives from every major business area of the city, including resident associations, professional service providers, architectural firms, financial service providers, Historic Annapolis, and our excellent restaurant and hospitality businesses.”

All of the current members of MAP are included and we will continue to deliver the successful programs that so many people enjoy, like the Annapolis in Bloom flower program.”

“This is a great partnership with the City,” as MAP Vice President, and publisher of What’s Up? Media, Veronica Tovey pointed out. “The City and Annapolis Partnership working together along with our businesses and important institutions like Historic Annapolis and the Visitor’s Bureau is at the core of a good economic development strategy for Annapolis. The Mayor and City Council have shown their support by providing a matching grant that will help offset part the cost of an Executive Director. Lisa Craig, the City’s Chief of Historic Preservation has been running the Main Street program on top of all of her other duties. It’s time we give her a break. The Annapolis Partnership will hire a full time, non-city employee, to serve as our Executive Director.”

“People come here to enjoy everything we have to offer – the water, the history, the great food and entertainment. Annapolis Partnership will work closely with the City, the County Economic Development staff and the Visitor’s Bureau to market the Annapolis experience to our customers, both residents and visitors,” said Doug Smith, MAP Treasurer and a resident and business owner in Ward One. We are optimistic that the member businesses of the Annapolis Business Association will join with us in that important task soon. Stay tuned, there is more to come!”

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